Portrait of a man, probably Sir George Carew (ca.1504-1545)

Executed in 1540, this portrait exemplifies the portrait tradition that Hans Holbein the Younger helped define. Painted during the later Renaissance period, the work balances individual likeness with the idealized presentation expected by sixteenth-century patrons. If the identification with George Carew is correct, the portrait depicts a naval commander who would later drown in 1545 when the warship Mary Rose capsized—making this a poignant record of a man at the height of his career.

Oil on canvas, the portrait demonstrates Hans Holbein the Younger's command of psychological penetration and luminous color. The careful modeling of the face reveals close study of the sitter's physiognomy, while the treatment of costume and setting projects appropriate social standing.